Vertebral fractures

What is a vertebral fracture?

Vertebral fractures are injuries to the bones of the spine, which are the structures that make up the spinal column and protect the spinal cord. Vertebrae can fracture due to different causes, such as trauma (blows), osteoporosis (a disease that weakens the bones), tumor diseases or infections.

What are your symptoms?

The symptoms of a fractured vertebra can vary depending on the severity of the injury. Some of the most common symptoms are:

1. Pain in the affected area of the spine, which may be sharp or constant.
2. Difficulty moving or bending the spine.
3. Deformity or change in the shape of the spine.
4. Feeling of weakness or numbness in the extremities, if the fracture affects the spinal nerves.
5. Difficulty breathing if the fracture affects the thoracic vertebrae and compresses the lungs.

What are the causes of a vertebral fracture?

The most common causes of vertebral fractures are trauma, such as falls, car accidents or sports injuries. However, vertebral fractures can also occur in people with osteoporosis, a disease that weakens bones and makes them more prone to fracture with minimal injury.

People most prone to osteoporosis are generally postmenopausal women, older people, those with a family history of osteoporosis, people with low calcium and vitamin D intake, sedentary people, smokers, heavy alcohol users, people with hormone deficiencies and those with certain chronic medical conditions. These will also affect the quality of fracture resolution.

What is the treatment of a vertebral fracture?

Treatment of vertebral fractures depends on the severity of the injury and the patient’s symptoms. In general, most vertebral fractures can be treated conservatively, that is, without the need for surgery, with measures such as rest, the use of analgesics, the use of splints or orthopedic corsets, and physical therapy to improve the strength and flexibility of the spine.

Does a fractured vertebra have to be operated on?

In some cases, invasive treatment may be necessary to repair a fractured vertebra. Surgery may be indicated in the following cases:

1. Severe and displaced fractures: if the vertebra fracture is severe and displaced, meaning that the bone fragments are out of alignment, surgery may be necessary to realign the bones and stabilise the spine.
2. Compression of the spinal cord or nerves: If the vertebra fracture compresses the spinal cord or nerves, which can cause weakness, numbness or problems with limb function, surgery may be required to relieve pressure on the spinal cord or nerves.
3. Spinal instability: If the vertebral fracture causes instability in the spine, meaning there is excessive or abnormal movement between the vertebrae, surgery may be needed to stabilise the spine and prevent long-term problems.
4. Fractures in patients with osteoporosis or other compromised health conditions that weaken the bones: vertebral fractures can be more serious and may require surgery to repair and stabilise the spine.
5. Fractures that do not heal adequately with conservative treatment: in these cases, surgery may be necessary to speed up the healing process and promote bone healing.

What are vertebral surgeries?

The types of surgery that can be used to treat vertebral fractures include:

1. Vertebroplasty: This is a procedure in which bone cement is injected into the fractured vertebra to strengthen it and relieve pain.
2. Kyphoplasty: It’s similar to vertebroplasty, but involves the placement of an inflatable balloon in the fractured vertebra to create a space prior to the injection of bone cement.
3. Internal fixation: This is a surgery in which implants such as screws, plates or rods are used to stabilise the spine and allow the fracture to heal properly.
4. Vertebral fusion surgery: In some cases, if the fracture is severe or involves several vertebrae, it may be necessary to fuse two or more vertebrae by surgery to stabilise the spine.

A vertebral fracture can take 8 to 12 weeks to heal, but in some cases it may take longer, especially in severe fractures or in patients with compromised health conditions. In case of suspected vertebral fracture, early diagnosis is important in order to define the best treatment option. At BSI we are specialists in spine surgery and we will advise you on the best treatment for your situation.